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Before The Cozy Read: Velvet & Venom: Love Don’t Come Easy In These Streets (The South-Hurst Syndicate Book 1) by Dominique Black

He runs the city with blood on his hands and eyes on his enemies — but for her? He’d burn every street to ash just to keep her breathing.

BEFORE THE COZY READ

Dana Anntynette

1/19/20262 min read

I will admit the first thing that captured my attention with this book was the cover. I mean...damn. Then a quick trip to the author’s TikTok page hooked me with the visuals for this book. Then to find out is book one in a series, I just had to know more. A slight deep dive later I saw it included my trifecta…. Unhinged… Kingpin… Burn the city down behind his love. Yea I was hooked. But you soon realized that this is so much more. The heart, family, love, and protection that this book showcases beautiful at its core.

The Basics:

Title: Velvet & Venom: Love Don’t Come Easy in These Streets(The South-Hurst Syndicate Book 1
Author: Dominique Black
Trope(s): Billionaire romance, Unhinged man, He falls first, Slight Forced Proximity
Reading Vibe: an urban emotional ride

What Pulled Me In:

Definitely the cover was the thing that pulled me first. But after a little research, the unhinged billionaire aspect was the thing that hooked me.

The Vibe Check (Spoiler-Free):

Could not have picked a better first read of 2026. As I get more into the types of books I enjoy reading, I’m starting to realize I love a romance book with layers. This fits that bill. This touched every emotion while reading this journey.

Perfect For Readers Who…

Love a sexy unhinged MMC.
Wants to take a trip for the healing journey of the FMC.
Need to read a complete story. (No cliffhanger)

Cozy Pre-Read Rating:

_________ out of 5 candles (aka my blanket fort is already reserved for this one).

Outro:

Bottom line you’re going to enjoy the ride this book takes you on. Simone will that FMC, that has no problem giving King that energy that he needs to feel emotions that he’s never felt before. King will be that MMC that gives Simone that soft space that she didn’t know she craved. Combine that with the craziness of mayhem, and support of brother’s you’d go to war for and you got a jam-packed powerful read. Enjoy.